Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

Good props: camera, yearbook

Have you been involved with your school yearbook?  Newspaper?  Used a school camera? Well, let’s imagine that you are Naomi, and as one of the yearbook co-editors, you forgot the $3600 camera that you use as the editor.  Because you are the responsible type, you take it back inside to get it, but because you are in a hurry, you trip down the stairs to meet your best friend and co-editor,     

Did I mention it was a $3,600 camera?  You save the camera [pantomime falling with the camera on top] but hit your head on the steps.

The next thing you know you are in an ambulance.  No memory of the fall. No memory of the boy who is sitting beside you, claiming to be your boyfriend.  No memory of the last 5 years in fact.  Your best friend wants to lead you with bits and pieces of information to help you remember.  Your friends want you to remember NOW.  And  that boyfriend? He says you are having sex.

What would you do?  Who do you believe?  Do you want to be that person even?  Is this your chance to remake yourself?  You will love Naomi; you will hate Naomi; but you will have an opinion!  And I guarantee you will be talking about this book!

(Booktalks by Mary Jo Heller, Einstein Middle School )